Came here for dinner with another fish-loving friend, and neither of us had ever been. We had an…read moreexcellent meal here, and I can't wait to go back and try more of the menu... I'd been sleeping on this place! I really liked the open, airy, diner-like atmosphere here, with comfy, clean booths but still a bit of an upscale feel. We started with the House Pickles and some fresh oysters. Our server was great at recommending some oysters in different flavor profiles, since we liked the milkier, less briny-tasting varieties. His recs were spot on too, and I loved that they provided house-prepared mignontette and horseradish. Then, we shared the Maryland blue crab cake (one cake that was big enough for its own meal) and the U10 Diver Scallops that came in a sauce of cream, spinach and bacon, and a side of buttery, soft bread. I make scallops all the time at home and never would have thought of a sauce like this... it was dreamy! We used the bread to just about clean the plate (since it isn't really socially acceptable to lick a plate in a restaurant), and I'm still thinking about the scallops and that sauce today. The crab cake and pickles were excellent too. We paired everything with some crisp New Zealand sauv blanc. I really enjoyed this place and I'd love to go back to try to hand rolls, soups, and everything else!

Had a nice dinner at this seafood bar named Fishwives in Old Town Pasadena. We made reservations…read moreand came in this place has a very chill vibe. Got seated in the corner for our party of three. The menu is small but the flavor is so good. All of us loved the food and would come back for sure. We got to try a seafood platter, cioppino, and ceviche. All the items were fresh and we loved every dish. So if you want some seafood and are in the area this is a nice spot with a chill vibe.

I had a lovely dinner with friends at Pez Coastal Kitchen in Pasadena. They live in the area and…read morego to this place a lot. There is street parking nearby, and we walked from our hotel the Hyatt Place. They have a good drinks menu. I ordered the Lady Bug which was a tequila based drink that was really good. They also have a bunch of non-alcoholic blended drinks. For food, we ordered a bunch of stuff to share including the ceviche, the lamb meatballs, the octopus, the jumbo scallops, Brussels sprouts, and the yams. Everything was unique and excellent. We were too full to try a dessert. Service was very gracious. I did find it interesting that they close the kitchen around 8 pm on a weeknight, but also the restaurant was not that busy.

The decor was nice and the presentation was good as well. The food was good, not great, good…read more Brussels sprouts were super sweet, like would you like a dash of brussels with your caramel sauce. (Perhaps if it has to be that sweet balance it with spice) The mussels were bland, I hope they add salt and pepper next time. The fish was excellent though, perfect, no notes, we all loved that. So good. We asked to start with the oysters and focaccia, then the mussels and for our main course the fish and brussel sprouts. Mind you there are 3 other tables in the entire place at 8:30 on a Saturday.. The first thing to come out of the kitchen was the main course side, the brussel sprouts. We reminded the waiter this was for the main course. He just stood there genz staring. I asked nicely if it would be OK to keep those on the warmer until the main course is served, he silently took them away. Then not 3 minutes later all of the food was delivered except the oysters, our appetizer. It kinda ruined the experience for us forcing us to eat every at once, quickly before it was cold. Killed conversation, Killed the vibe. And if was coursed properly we probably would have ordered another bottle of wine. So it Killed the bill and the tip too. It wasn't busy at all on a Saturday night, so it's not like the kitchen was slammed and accidentally pushed everything quickly. The oysters came out last, and we never got the focaccia, nuff said. We didn't bother complaining. We didn't want to be difficult and we aren't looking for a freebee. But at that price point they should know how to course a meal. Sad, but I don't think this restaurant will be here in 6 months. So go now if you have been wanting to try it.

I ordered the Chilean sea bass, and it was excellent--perfectly prepared and full of flavor…read more The restaurant itself is beautiful, with a warm and inviting atmosphere. We went on a Tuesday afternoon , and it was already packed, but luckily we were able to grab a spot at the bar. I really enjoyed my visit and would definitely come back to try more of the menu.

I had such a wonderful lunch at Nick's in Pasadena for a friend's birthday. We were seated right…read moreaway in a comfortable booth, which was a great start. I ordered the pan-seared salmon, and my friend had a salad with salmon. We both really enjoyed our meals. The food was delicious, fresh, and beautifully prepared. Our waiter was extremely friendly and attentive throughout the meal. I also loved the attention to detail, especially the warm towels at the end of our meal. I had quietly let our waiter know that it was my friend's birthday, and at the end of lunch they surprised her with a lovely little chocolate cake, which was such a nice touch. I've been to Nick's before, and between the atmosphere, the food, and the excellent service, it continues to be a place I would definitely return to.

Amazing food and service! I would definitely go back…read moreAmbiance was perfect for the occasion

Came in excited to try the food, but unfortunately, the service was extremely disappointing. We…read morewere seated right away but waited over 10 minutes without being acknowledged or even offered water. The waitress then served a table that was seated after us while we continued to wait. We even asked the hostess if we could order with her, but still no one came over. At that point, we decided to walk out and go to another restaurant. We understand restaurants get busy, but acknowledging your guests is the bare minimum. Unfortunately, we never even got the chance to try the food.

I had visited their sister restaurant Lobster and Beer numerous times during my studies at UCLA and…read morewas happy to find out this place opened up. I ordered a Connecticut style crab roll. The food arrived within 10 minutes of ordering. The crab roll was packed full of crab meat inside the toasted bun. I love whatever sauce they put on top + the lemon which made the crab meat ridiculously refreshing. The side of salad helped me feel better about eating healthy too and was a nice textural break from the crab roll. Overall, the crab roll tastes relatively similar to what I had at Lobster and Beer. It was very satisfying and I can't wait to come back for the lobster roll. Until I find out they switched to a poke shop instead. What a loss.

Another 5-star update to my previous two reviews. Guys, it's my birthday! I'm part of their reward…read moreprogram, and received a $5 off coupon. Perfect timing, as I was craving to come back! I got my usual Cali Truffle Roll (which was delicious, as always) and also got a side of lobster bisque soup. The store associate says that it gets made fresh daily, and that there's chunks of lobster in the bisque, so I had to give it a try. Guys. It's worth making a trip for! This is the BEST lobster bisque I've had (and I used to live in east coast!). You can truly taste the freshness and yes, there were chunks of lobster in it! They also have a clam chowder which I need to try again. Whatever you come here for, get a side of soup to complete your meal :)

First time ever trying a seafood boil and Crab Grabber in Pasadena was such a great experience! The…read morestaff was super helpful and attentive, especially since we were new to seafood boils. We ordered two of the Combo A options. One with peeled shrimp and snow crab legs, and another with mussels and sausage. We tried both the mild and medium heat levels, and everything was really well seasoned and flavorful without being overwhelming. They also have a salad bar with appetizer-style dishes and desserts, which was a nice addition to the meal. Overall, we had such a lovely time, the food was delicious, and it was a great first seafood boil experience. Definitely would come back!

I never thought I'd see a combination of Cajun seafood boil and Sichuan food but here we are. The…read morefusion works surprisingly well! We got Combo A with shrimp and crawfish tossed in their mixed boil sauce, which was incredibly rich and flavorful. It came with corn, potatoes, and a boiled egg that soaked up all that delicious sauce. The crawfish were some of the biggest I've seen, they definitely hook it up with the portions. The Chinese specialties were also good, we ordered the Tea-Smoked Duck which had tender, smoky meat and the Beef Dry Pot. Fair warning on the dry pot: we ordered the medium spice level and it was extremely spicy, so beware if you are sensitive to heat! That numbing Sichuan kick was intense but solid. To top it all off, they have a self-serve bar with unlimited gizzards, which was such an awesome bonus.

Atina And Connor best waiters. Super kind and helpful when it came to ordering. Really enjoyed the…read morefood

Star Leaf, in Pasadena, is a wonderful Thai restaurant that has a unique and attractive menu. The…read morefact that they were participating in Dine LA was a trigger, to make another visit there for lunch. I tried to invoke the dinner menu, but they were not willing. Not a problem, the lunch menu was equally enticing. A 2-course offering for $25. I started with the Thai Prawn Ceviche. This course was wonderfully balanced, not too acidic, also a nice touch of sweetness and plump flavorful prawns. For the main, my selection was the Beef Truffle Wok-Seared Noodles. I was delighted that they were round noodles and they arrived at my table stirred in a dark sauce with sliced beef pieces on top. A small porcelain decanter was also supplied, containing the truffle oil. I poured it over my noodles. The beef was tender, moist and could be cut with the usual provided table knife. The whole dish was a winner, from start to finish. Service here, as expected, was well executed. Need to be aware of the parking though. There is a public garage around the corner that is advertised for this establishment and a few others. Problem is, that Star Leaf validates only for 1-hour, while their neighbors do so, for 2-hours. I addressed this issue with the manager at my last visit and this time too. The answer I got was not convincing to suggest that they care, or will do something about it, anytime soon. Oh well.

It's great! The atmosphere is nice, too--quite different from a typical Chinese restaurant. It's…read moreworth a try.

I had a business dinner here the other night so could not take photos of the delicious food. From…read morethe outside this place might be mistaken for a generic chain but the care and attention to the food and service dispel that impression immediately. We enjoyed the corn agnolotti, edamame humus, and the melon with prosciutto as appetizers. I especially liked the sea bass entree. It was beautifully seasoned and cooked perfectly. The salmon was also tasty (we shared plates). The apple strudel was yummy as was the dessert with lemons curd, blackberries and melt-in-your -mouth shortbread cookies. Almost forgot to mention the watermelon drop cocktail. What a perfect refreshing summer drink. Definitely worth trying. Well done, Arbour! I'll be back.

First time at Boston Lobster on Lower Azusa Road and I was impressed!…read more I went with my son for a one-year-old's birthday party and somehow managed to arrive an HOUR late ‍. Thankfully, they were incredibly gracious and accommodating when we showed up. The food is served family style, so we got to sample a little bit of everything. The filet mignon medallions were delectable--tender, flavorful, and perfectly marinated. And the Lobster Noodles! This was my first time trying them and they absolutely delivered. The lobster was cut and fried in a way that made the meat tucked inside the shell really easy to get to, which made the whole experience so enjoyable. And that gravy... I was literally sucking on the lobster shell trying to get every last bit. So, so good. We also had a stir-fried green vegetable--possibly watercress--and it was delicious. Simple, savory, and cooked just right. I loved having something fresh and green alongside all the richer dishes. Great food, warm service, and such a fun meal to share with a group. I'll definitely be back.

I've been coming to this establishment since it was still located in that small spot on San Gabriel…read moreand Valley, so it's disappointing to say that the quality of the food seems to have gone downhill over the years. The service is still great, the restaurant itself is decently clean and spacious. Sadly, the food just wasn't up to the standards I remember. Salt & Pepper Shrimp 3/10 - Poorly seasoned and lacking the crispiness I was expecting. The shrimp just didn't have much going for it. Mongolian Beef 4/10 - This was basically steamed beef with green onions. The dish lacked the caramelized, savory flavor I typically associate with Mongolian beef. Clams with Basil 5/10 - The flavor was decent, but the clams did not taste particularly fresh, which really took away from the dish. Pan-Fried Pork 2/10 - Unfortunately, this was my least favorite. The pork didn't taste fresh, and the texture made it feel like it had been fried twice. The normally flavorful sauce it came with was also extremely bland. I'm actually very glad I came during lunch and paid lunch prices for these dishes. If I had paid dinner prices, I would have been extremely disappointed. The food from my previous visits weren't extraordinary, but at least it was "okay". However, after this visit, I have officially taken this restaurant off my rotation. I won't be returning.

I've eaten here countless times with friends and family over the years. I can't believe I haven't…read morereviewed you guys! Always consistent in service and quality. They are known for: Special Lobster (A+) Beef Loc Lac (A) Clams with spicy sauce (A+) Chinese broccoli (B+) - depends on how thick or thin it is Pea shoots with garlic (A) Eggplant (A) Yang Chow fried rice (A) Reservations are highly recommended either by calling or thru Yelp. There are private rooms in the back on request if you have a larger party and seafood is always fresh as they have an aquarium with lobsters, crab, geoduck, and fish. The decor is charming with vintage trinkets along the side of the wall. There is a waiting area by the lobby and restrooms in the back of the restaurant. Since it gets so crowded and busy the restrooms could be tended better. Parking is available on the street otherwise you have to valet on the lot.

I had lunch at Newport Seafood Restaurant today with a friend I hadn't seen in a very long time…read more She recently reached out to me after being out of touch for quite a while and asked if I wanted to meet up. Today was a day that worked for me, so we decided to have lunch together and then get a massage afterward. Whenever I come to this area for a massage, I usually have lunch at Boston Lobster. I've heard that Boston Lobster was opened by a chef and some of the staff who used to work here at Newport Seafood Restaurant, so I wanted to come back here after a long time and compare the two restaurants for myself. First, parking. Boston Lobster has regular self-parking, while Newport Seafood has valet parking, which was $2. As for the food, I ordered one of my favorite dishes, shrimp with cashews. I've had it at Boston Lobster many times, and I definitely preferred Boston Lobster's version. We also ordered beef with tomato sauce. Honestly, it didn't look particularly appetizing when it first came out, but once I tried it, it was actually pretty good. We also ordered beef chow mein, and this was probably my favorite dish of the meal. It almost had a slightly Thai-food-like flavor, and it was really delicious. As for the service, this is where I noticed the biggest difference between the two restaurants. Every time I go to Boston Lobster, everyone there is always extremely friendly and welcoming. Here, some of the staff were friendly, but some were not friendly at all. The hostess who greeted us when we first arrived was very nice. After we sat down, she brought a small cucumber dish to our table and asked if we wanted it as an appetizer. We politely declined. Then a male server came to take our drink order and asked whether we wanted hot tea or water. I asked if they had any caffeine-free hot tea, but he didn't seem to understand me. My friend repeated the question very slowly, but he still didn't seem to understand. After we explained it one more time, he finally seemed to get what I was asking and asked if I wanted jasmine tea. I said yes, so we had jasmine tea. It was extremely hot at first, so I also asked for some cold water without ice. Later, while we were eating, we needed to serve ourselves some of the chow mein. The spoon that came with the chow mein wasn't really useful for picking up the noodles, so I asked for an extra pair of chopsticks. The server brought the chopsticks over and basically tossed them down on our table. Honestly, I found that pretty unpleasant. My friend and I looked at each other while we were eating and said, "What was that?" My friend even commented, "Chinese restaurant staff can be so unfriendly sometimes." That has never happened to me at Boston Lobster. The staff there have always been very friendly and attentive whenever I've gone. I had actually been to Newport Seafood Restaurant several times before the COVID pandemic, and I even got their lobster for takeout back then. I remember it being so delicious that, during the pandemic, I once saw on Google that the restaurant was open and drove all the way here, only to find that it was actually closed. I remember being pretty disappointed that day. So coming back here again after such a long time brought back some memories. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed with the service today. On the positive side, I found the restroom here to be cleaner than the one at Boston Lobster. However, the toilet here flushes automatically rather than having a manual flush, and I actually found that a little inconvenient. One nice advantage here is that they have private rooms, which would be great if you come with a larger group and want to sit separately with your own party. They do have lunch specials on weekends, which is nice. But personally, I think I'll probably go back to Boston Lobster next time. Their prices are actually about $1-$2 cheaper, I prefer their food overall, there's no valet parking charge, and most importantly, their service has been consistently much friendlier in my experience. So while I enjoyed coming back to Newport Seafood Restaurant after all these years and I did find some dishes here very good, Boston Lobster is still the place I would personally choose for my next visit to this area.